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Bhai Duj (Bhau beej, Bhai Dooj, Bhai Bij, Bhaubeej, Bhav Bij, Bhai phota, Bhaiya Dooj) is a Hindu festival that celebrates the affection between a brother and a sister on the second day after the new moon in the Hindu month of Kartika (October/November). It falls on the fifth and/or last day of the five-day-long Diwali festival.
Bhai Duj celebrates the relationship between brothers and sisters.
©iStockphoto.com/Aman Khan
What Do People Do?
The festival of Bhai Duj is celebrated with rituals that showcase the relationship of brothers and sisters. These rituals include a big meal hosted by the sister that often includes her brother’s favorite dishes followed by the sister applying a red tika on the brother’s forehead. The brother blesses his sister and gives her Bhaubeej or cash gifts in return. The festival is celebrated with a lot of enthusiasm and fun. It is also a time for family reunions where close relatives and friends gather together in the celebration. Brothers and sisters often exchange gifts such as clothes, utensils, mithai and fruits.
Public Life
Bhai Duj is a restricted holiday in India so government institutions and offices remain open as well as businesses, banks, and public transportation services. These openings depend on where one lives and the services’ proximity to the festivities. Some schools remain open, depending on their religious observance.
Background
Bhai Duj comes from the word “bhayya or bhai” meaning brother and “duj” meaning the second day after the new moon. There are many legends that tell the origin of Bhai Duj, but according to religious scriptures, the God of death, Yamaraj, went to visit his sister's house after a long period of separation. His sister, Yami was very happy to see him and welcomed him by putting a mark on his forehead for his welfare followed by a shared meal.
He was so pleased with his sister's reception, he proclaimed that every year, on the duj day, if a sister puts a tilak or mark on her brother's forehead, then no one can harm her brother. Sisters perform this puja for their brother’s safety and well being every year on Bhai Duj, and in return they give gifts as a token of love to their sisters.
Symbols
The whole ceremony signifies a sister’s blessing for her brother and the duties that a brother must do to protect his sister. The teeka ceremony signifies the sister’s sincerest prayers for a long and happy life for her brother.
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